University students poorly informed about contraception

A worryingly high proportion of students are unaware of how to use condoms properly, a survey has revealed.

Research by the Terrence Higgins Trust (THT) and the National Union of Students (NUS) has found that more than a tenth of university students do not know how to put a condom on, while nearly a quarter are under the impression that other forms of contraception will protect them from contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Seven respondents even claimed that you could wash and reuse condoms, highlighting an urgent need for more comprehensive sexual health education in schools.

Lisa Power, head of policy at THT, said that university students were no smarter than many other young people about sexual health.

"We spend a fortune educating students, but leave them ignorant about key issues in their adult lives.